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1958 NASA Established………….The United States Congress passes legislation officially commencing the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The development of NASA was a sign that the United States was promised to winning the “space race” against the Soviets. In October 1957, the Soviet Union surprised the world, and specifically the American public, by introducing the first satellite into orbit around the earth. Called Sputnik, the small spacecraft was an embarrassment to the United States, which prided itself on its king in the field of technology. Sputnik also offered the Soviets with an significant propaganda benefit in terms of reaching out to underdeveloped Third World nations that were searching for scientific and technological help. The initial U.S. response to this challenge was not altogether successful. The Eisenhower administration forwarded the National Defense Education Act that offered federal funds for enhancing the teaching of science and mathematics in America’s public schools. In December 1957, the United States tried to launch its own satellite. Named Vanguard, the “spaceship” got some feet off the ground and then blew up. America had better luck with Explorer I a month later–the satellite finished its orbit of the earth. It was obvious to several U.S. officials, though, that a more organized and focused effort was required. In July 1958, Congress passed legislation establishing NASA as the coordinating body of the U.S. space program. During the next 10 years, NASA became synonymous with the space race. In May 1961, President John F. Kennedy published that the United States should plan a goal of putting a man on the moon by the end of the decade. 8 years and billions of dollars later, Neil Armstrong stepped out of the lunar module Eagle and onto the moon’s surface on July 20, 1969. The great space race was over.